The Hunger

when i woke today,
i wasn’t awake enough
my legs of their own accord
were dancing to the rhythm in my stomach
i thought that i would die
but everyday i wake up feeling like that
the sky has been kind to the earth
but the earth won’t allow my belly a thing
it is not hard work that gives food
on this street, i know these men
they work hard
and when we gather at night,
everybody is looking for worth for the belly
from a man with no food,
even sleep would run.

Victor Oyedele